Comments on: An Interview with J Dilla’s Mother, Ms. Maureen Yancey

By: New J-Dilla track! « 455 Scottsdale

New J-Dilla track! « 455 Scottsdale — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 22:46:26 +0000

[...] couple of classics are also available here. « These guys get no love, and I don’t [...]

By: jorge

jorge — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 21:04:54 +0000

It seems I’m not the only blogger receiving this kind of flack for honoring someones name.

By: Passion of the Weiss

Passion of the Weiss — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 17:43:19 +0000

I don’t see why that’s necessarily a red flag. Have you seen a blog that didn’t post on Pay Jay? Do you think that it wouldn’t have helped the estate’s chances at solvency had that album not been illegally leaked? Or what about the other dozens of unreleased Dilla beats that have made their way around the web. Did the ad not raise awareness and lead to these articles? C’mon….

And no one knows for a fact that the estate won’t make money in the future and pass it on to Dilla’s children. That still very well might happen. We’ll just have to wait and see.

By: HD

HD — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 17:34:08 +0000

If Arty Erk himself wasn’t “expecting a big windfall of money,” as he’s quoted as saying here, then why did they spend the money on a Billboard ad ($9-10K??). Arty Erk also had that quote in the other piece where he used Dilla’s children as justification for what they were doing – a suspicious red flag to me – but it wasn’t clear at all what exactly they were doing at all. There’s been no legit Dilla releases (aside from reissued Ruff Draft and already-in-progress Shining) since his passing. Those are a couple of the things that didn’t seem right to me with the first piece, and now seem like they really should have been addressed. That’s all I’m saying. That’s just a little criticism though – I’m glad someone’s covered this whole thing.

By: Passion of the Weiss

Passion of the Weiss — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 03:54:55 +0000

The executors of the estate took out a full page ad in Billboard. I spoke with the lawyer and the actual executor. Tried to speak to people with Stones Throw prior to publication but they were unavailable. Yes, of course, I would have liked to have spoken to Ms. Yancey prior, but her problems with the estate weren’t exactly common knowledge and as such, the article’s specific focus kept to the problems the actual estate has had.

No matter how dissatisfied the family is with his executors, it doesn’t alter the original point. Namely, that despite the exponential increase in fame following his death, Dilla’s estate has had an extraordinarily difficult time stemming copyright infringement, paying off his debt and monetizing his brand.

Sometimes, stories unravel in layers. Sometimes, they arrive in one neat bundle.

By: HD

HD — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 03:35:08 +0000

Cool piece. Real cool piece. But you don’t mind some criticism, it really makes me wonder where the integrity was with the first LA Weekly piece. For real! The first piece had a suspicious feeling from the beginning, and that is now confirmed. Wasn’t the first one published a bit prematurely?

By: jorge

jorge — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 14:05:31 +0000

Phenomenal work with the interview and truly a repugnant situation between the Ma Dukes and the estate. It’s sad, fuck that — makes me angry, to read things like this, but it’s definitely an eye-opener to the pitfalls that are out there that need to be put out there. This has to come back around someday, I truly believe that balance will eventually be restored, even if it is in the long run. I’m with Aaron, what an amazing woman.

By: khal

khal — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 17:49:46 +0000

Definitely a sad situation. Must be tough for the family to not be able to do what they know is right with Dilla’s music and legacy. One day, things will be set right. True heads know the impact, and in some ways, that’s better. Rest in power, Dilla.

Ma Dukes, hold ya head!

By: Patrick

Patrick — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 17:06:16 +0000

This is a fantastic interview. I’m glad Ms Yancey (Ma Dukes! lol) was given a chance to talk about what’s going on. Disgusting, though, what she’s described as happening to Dilla’ “estate.” I’m spreading this on my own blog, because anyone that makes music seriously should read what she’s saying:

http://patrick.breathesmoke.com/?p=123

P.S. A lil’ bonus for you Dilla fans, something I drew to honor him:

http://flickr.com/photos/airtightelevator/2498158869/

By: Dan Canyon

Dan Canyon — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 09:47:51 +0000

A very enlightening interview and a sad situation, but anybody that knows Dilla knows Ma Dukes and what she represents. We’re behind her.